Hi- I am looking for some recommendations for a new wakeboard for my 13 year old daughter who hopes to compete someday. She is an advanced beginner and is progressing pretty quickly but she is using an old wakeboard that is really too big for her. She is 5'4" and weighs about 120lbs. I've been reading up on boards online and on this forum but I'm still really confused and don't want to buy a board she'll outgrow quickly. We have tried to find a place to demo some boards but there isn't anything in our area. Any advice will be much appreciated!

What does she ride now (make/model/size)? What does she "like" and "not like" about it? Does she like coming in to the wake fast, or more of a slow progressive cut? What part of the country are you in? (Maybe I know someone nearby that could help expose her to different boards/riding styles.) I would think a 132cm to 135cm would avoid her growing out of them without them being too big in the meantime.

Let us know on the questions above & maybe we can provide better direction...

She rides an old 136 Obrien Ambush. I know she says it's too heavy-she used a smaller board last summer during a lesson and was able to go wake to wake which she hasn't been able to do with this board. She is a fairly aggressive rider and likes to go fast across the wake. We are in lower New England. I appreciate the input.

I would definitely put her on the O'Brien Vixen 132. The board is very user friendly & stable, but it edges well (not a slow board). It's an advanced model though, so it will accommodate her riding as she gets better & better.
I'm not sure what dealers are near you but I know they have really good deals on overtons.com

I am roughly the same size as your daughter (1 inch taller ), and have always been quite comfortable on a 134. I prefer LF, started with an Angel (very easy to learn/progress on) and have been on a Melissa Limited for a few years. With her weight, I would suggest no smaller than a 134. Wakeboards are based on weight not height. Good luck!

Sounds like a 132cm (52") to 135cm (53") should be fine. I'm closer to 140 lbs and have always ridden a 132. I still managed to get respectable air despite many people saying that you need a bigger board at that weight. I am planning to try a 135 cm in the future just to see if the landings are softer, but the 137 I tried seemed like a tank when trying to olie.

Just thought I'd share my experience with trying to purchase the 2009 LF Melissa. Ordered it on dealadaywake.com on Friday, my credit card was charged on Saturday, received a phone call on Tuesday that the board was not available and that I would get a credit, still waiting for the credit. Yesterday, found the board again on rdcshop.com for $30 cheaper than dealadaywake.com. Placed the order and it went through. Received a phone call later in the evening saying it wasn't available.

Kat- I called them yesterday and they sent an email saying the credit will be issued but it hasn't hit my account as of this morning. On the bright side, the board I bought on craigslist is scheduled to be delivered tomorrow.